The tea-plant, in its natural state, grows into a small or medium-sized tree, but in commercial plantations it is pruned and trained to form a many-branched low bush and is encouraged to produce vigorous vegetative growth by adopting an appropriate schedule of fertilizer applications. Blending is the process of mixing of high grade different type of teas.
Tea is the world’s and India’s beverage of choice, after water. The organised branded tea segment was at about Rs 12,970 crore in 2017, up from Rs 12,240 crore in 2016, according to market research firm Euromonitor International. India is the world’s second largest producer of tea, after China. In 2017-18, it recorded the highest production, at 1,325 million kg, 6% higher than the previous year. Exports grew at more than twice that rate to hit 257 million kg. The market is expected to grow annually by 6.5% (CAGR 2018-2021). This facilitates the development of new technologies and ensures a high quality product.
Few Indian major players are as under
· Alipurduar Tea Co. Ltd.
· Amar Tea Pvt. Ltd.
· Buds Tea Inds. Ltd.
· Chamong Tea Co. Ltd.
· Chengmari Tea Co. Ltd.
· Cinnatolliah Tea Ltd.
· Crystal Tea (India) Ltd.